Body demands for Bharat Ratna for Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das

Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta

Rayagada, October 3: On behalf of National Human Welfare Board Trust its members namely Bijaya Dash, Treasurer of Zilla Samabadika Sangha, Rayagada, Sanjay Kumar Parida, Mani Panda, Guru Prasad Mohanty led by President Sharda Prasad Mohapatra have submitted a memorandum to President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu through Professor Ganeshi Lal, Governor of Odisha. The outfit has demanded to confer Bharat Ratna to Pandit Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das. The memorandum has mentioned that till today Bharat Ratna has been awarded to 48 very eminent persons out of which 14 have been felicitated posthumously. Unfortunately from Odisha nobody has received this most coveted honour. Similar memoranda have also been sent to CM of Odisha and PM of India.

Gopabandhu Das, also known as Utkalamani or the Jewel of Utkal or Odisha, was an activist, journalist, essayist, poet, reformer, and social worker who actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement. Gopabandhu Das dedicated himself to the cause of freedom, besides working for social reform. He was infused with the Swadeshi spirit.It was due to his efforts that Gandhiji came to Odisha.

Thereafter, people joined the Non-Cooperation Movement. Subhash Chandra Bose referred to him as the father of the National movement in Odisha. He was a dedicated social worker who ignoring his ailing son, rushed to the flood-affected areas without making delay to provide relief.

In the context of Gopabandhu’s contribution to Odisha, the Body has decided to spearhead its campaign for Bharat Ratna for Gopabandhu posthumously till its efforts reach a logical conclusion, said Bijaya Dash